POLITICS OF REPRESENTATION THROUGH THE LENSES OF ALJAZEERA (THE CASE OF DOCUMENTARY FILM ‘BALUCHISTAN: PAKISTAN’S OTHER WAR’)

Abstract

Media has the potential to represent individuals or groups on behalf of large populations which has the potential to affect perceptions, cognition, attitudes and behaviors. In the process of representations, media actively participates and constructs meanings that affect and are affected by politics. Particularly, film operates as a model “for” as well as a model “of” reality because of its audio-visual competence. This research analyzes documentary film “Baluchistan: Pakistan’s other war” telecasted on Al-Jazeera television channel for the portrayal of Baluchistan. Selection of issues, portrayal of problems, and treatment of different discourses highlighted in the documentary film are analyzed along with the historical background for better conceptualization of Baluchistanissue. Through the triangulation method the study explores whether the documentary contributes in conflict escalation or resolution or management. The findings suggest that the secession movement, ethnicity and Bloch nationalism are predominantly highlighted in a way that affects upon development projects like Gwadar port and extraction of natural resources. The frames applied to the portrayal of Baluchistan and the treatment of different issues contributes to conflict escalation rather than resolution or management.